Sony HXR-NX5R overview

1Description

Extending the NXCAM line of solid-state camcorders, Sony's HXR-NX5R offers improved network functionality over previous cameras in the line, and it allows you to select from XAVC-S 50 Mb/s to AVCHD/DV recording. Suitable for documentaries, corporate, weddings, events, nature, sports, and journalism, the NX5R shoots at NTSC broadcast frame rates from 59.94 to 23.98. The built-in Wi-Fi and FTP wireless connections enable you to send footage to your editor from the camera while on location, instead of having to send the media cards to the editor. The legacy codec support allows you to shoot and subsequently edit your footage into older projects shot on AVCHD or even DV formats. However, just because the NX5R supports older codecs doesn't make it any less capable. It incorporates a 3G-SDI output that supports Full HD 1920 x 1080p video at 59.94 fps, as well as 1080i, 720p, and the previously mentioned 720 x 480i.

Three 1/2.8" CMOS Exmor sensors and a 20x optical zoom Sony G lens with 40x Clear Image Zoom provide sharp and clear images. And if you need more illumination there is a built-in LED light above the lens. Professional audio is not forgotten with two XLR inputs that support Line, mic, and mic +48 (phantom power). The Slow & Quick Motion function enables 1080p recording at selectable frame rates. The camera features two media card slots that support recording on Memory Stick PRO Duo or SDHC/SDXC media cards.

Built-In LED Light

Mounted above the lens and just below the built-in mic, the LED light features a roughly 90° beam angle, outputting a color temperature of about 5500K. It has an integrated dimmer and includes a snap-on diffuser to soften the output.

Wi-Fi and FTP

Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and FTP allow you to send your footage to your editor while you are still shooting, so post-production doesn't have to wait on the data cards being sent from the shoot.

XAVC S

The NX5R can record 1920 x 1080p footage at 59.94 fps using the XAVC S codec.

"G Lens", the lens featured in other successful Sony camcorders, already enjoys an excellent industry reputation. In the HXR-NX5R, this sophisticated lens is optimized to complement the camcorder's advanced image sensor and image processing technology.

Built-In ND filters

The HXR-NX5R is equipped with three built-in ND (Neutral Density) filters—1/4, 1/16, 1/64—which help vary the depth of field with iris control.

Relay Record with Dual Memory Slots

Another new feature is continuous recording between two memory card slots. The new HXR-NX5R camcorder automatically cycles between the dual memory slots. When using two 32GB memory cards, six hours of continuous HD footage can be recorded.

Sony HXR-NX5R reviews

HXR-NX5R NXCAM Professional Camcorder with Built-In LED Light is rated
4.5 out of
5 by
8.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
none from
Will buy two more soon.Wow what do you say.. once you learn how to use this camera you won't give it up. So many great settings.. has a nice balance. We do a lot of gonzo work . One person sound light news gathering for our tv station. We produce every thing we air. Never has failed us . Doesn't eat batteries . The light is great. Two audio inputs with built in mixer. Big viewfinder. Don't expect a $20,000 camera.. but it the best you Elwin get for the price. Has a huge lenses not like the half dollar size on pother lenses . Wedding cooking shows beauty pageants it will get it done. Works great with Apple final cut. When I need I will buy another one.

Date published: 2017-03-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
JC from
Better than expected!We are very familiar with the first version of this camera (HXR-NX5U), and liked it's versatility, so we ordered the new version (HXR-NX5R) and have found it to be even better in many ways over the original version.� One big improvement, for us anyway, was that the new version operates on battery and AC power simultaneously.� Most of our video taping involves recording lengthy events with the camera running on AC power, so we were always worried with our previous camera that if the AC power got interrupted, the recording would fail.� The new version allows the battery to be installed while on AC power, so if the AC power fails, the battery takes over seamlessly.� Another nice feature is the extended zoom capability which nearly doubles the zoom range of the 20X optical lens digitally without causing any noticeable artifacts in the picture.
My only complaint, so far, is that it is more difficult to format a new SDHC card with the new version of this camera.� In the old version, all you had to do was press the mode button, touch media format on the LCD viewfinder, and follow the on-screen instructions.� With the new version, you need to access the main menu, select� "others", and scroll down a lengthy list to find media format, select the card that you want to format, then execute the operation.� Not a big problem, but it was faster on the old version of this camera.
Another quibble is the way the video outputs of the new version of this camera are controlled.� You can select SDI output, HDMI output, and composite video output separately, but the camera will not output all three versions of these outputs simultaneously.� You can only use one output at a time.� There are times when two or more video outputs would be useful, but the camera will not allow this.

Date published: 2018-01-09

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Connor from
A great camera!I got it for legal videography and when I first got it I freaked out trying to find the time and date stamp setting. Turns out its in the OTHER menu then as DATA SET...or something like that. It can only be enabled for 1080P video at 60P. Just wanted to let you know so you don't have a freakout moment like me.
Otherwise its a great camera!!

Date published: 2018-01-04

Rated 4 out of
5 by
ED from
Good but not as good as my EX1I liked the streaming right out of the camera to Ustream. Good quality. No cigar compared to the JVC GY-HM620. THe HM 620 had better color and crisper image. The 5R was less exciting for its 20x lens since most is wasted with starting at a wider shot. So only partly better than my x14 EX1. The JVC lens is a marvel. I have to say the NX5r menu is elegant. Cant complain for a camera costing $3200.

Date published: 2016-12-08

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Dave from
Good, but missing 1 thing the NX5 had.Ive only had brief time on this camera, but was very disappointed with this. When using the SDI output, the HDMI port is disabled. The HXR-NX5U that preceded this, could send both.
So now, to send an SDI signal, AND run a monitor, you need to buy and power an additional SDI-HDMI converter, and be sure you get one with SDI pass-through ability. New models arent supposed to have fewer capabilities.
And with the NX5 now gone, were left with a less capable replacement.
They should have left the HDMI hot all the time like they used to.

Date published: 2018-11-11

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Teddy Bear from
This camcorder is way more than I expected. Great price!I use this problem in traveling to record Miracles Service for my pastor, which is used in our tv production. It meets and exceed the requirements for tv production. Great product and easy to use.

Date published: 2016-11-27

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Trish from
Great Camera - Great ValueI bought this camera as a bridge from my old HDV equipment to my eventual switch to 4k. The 4K cameras I am thinking of getting have not been out very long. I'd like to know they don't have any major issues before buying them. Since I only do HD at this time, I knew this camera would give me more than what I need right now.
I've put about 10 hours on the camera so far. It is very similar to my old Z5. I like everything about it except a couple things. The LCD/Viewfinder switch is annoying. Why couldn't both stay on all the time? The viewfinder diopter wheel is very tiny and hard to use. My old HDV cameras had a slider under the eyepiece that was simple to use. The front shoe mount is made to power an external light. I'd rather use my own LED light but it has fallen off the shoe mount several times. The built in light is nice but not as bright as my own LED light. I need to find a way to keep my LED light on that front shoe mount.
The camera is easy to operate with most buttons on the outside of the camera so no need for the menu to change things "on the fly". I like that it uses the old Sony batteries that are relatively cheap and the cheap SD cards. You can shoot in 50mbps which is an improvement over my old cameras. Overall, this is a great camera for the money.

Date published: 2018-10-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
manuel from
i would recommend this to a friendexcelent